Obituary for Jean Barbour (Downey)
Mary Jean Barbour, 92, of New Hartford, formerly of Farmington, Canton, Stonington and Simsbury died peacefully on Friday, March 26, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of John Jones Downey and Gertrude Joy. Due to her mother’s illness her father moved with Jean down to Maryland into his father’s house who had just retired from the Maryland state senate. Jean also lived for a time with her aunt and uncle and cousin, Grace Riggs.
When Jean was 13, her father remarried Edna Magaw and moved to Ohio. Jean went to Ohio State University and received a bachelor degree in nursing. At Ohio State she also met her husband, James P. Barbour, Jr.. After graduation they moved to Missouri, then West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and finally Connecticut. She raised four children, worked as a nurse, and volunteered at the Red Cross. In Connecticut she worked in Unionville for Dr. Wolfson, in West Hartford for Dr. Rixon and in New London for Dr. Roy Main.
After her husband’s passing she moved to Canton, then Middlewoods in Farmington and lastly to her daughter’s home in New Hartford. She loved researching family genealogy and created a large collection of family memories. She also loved reading mysteries.
She leaves behind 4 children: Mikki Hinman (Peter), David Barbour (Carin), Steven Barbour (Diane), Beth Upjohn (Bill),12 grandchildren, and 10 + great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 5th at 5:00 pm at Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT 06019. Calling hours will be held prior from 4:00 pm to 5:00. Masks and social distancing requested. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County. Please visit Mary’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of John Jones Downey and Gertrude Joy. Due to her mother’s illness her father moved with Jean down to Maryland into his father’s house who had just retired from the Maryland state senate. Jean also lived for a time with her aunt and uncle and cousin, Grace Riggs.
When Jean was 13, her father remarried Edna Magaw and moved to Ohio. Jean went to Ohio State University and received a bachelor degree in nursing. At Ohio State she also met her husband, James P. Barbour, Jr.. After graduation they moved to Missouri, then West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and finally Connecticut. She raised four children, worked as a nurse, and volunteered at the Red Cross. In Connecticut she worked in Unionville for Dr. Wolfson, in West Hartford for Dr. Rixon and in New London for Dr. Roy Main.
After her husband’s passing she moved to Canton, then Middlewoods in Farmington and lastly to her daughter’s home in New Hartford. She loved researching family genealogy and created a large collection of family memories. She also loved reading mysteries.
She leaves behind 4 children: Mikki Hinman (Peter), David Barbour (Carin), Steven Barbour (Diane), Beth Upjohn (Bill),12 grandchildren, and 10 + great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 5th at 5:00 pm at Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT 06019. Calling hours will be held prior from 4:00 pm to 5:00. Masks and social distancing requested. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County. Please visit Mary’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.